Down with Black Friday! Seven readers on how they turned their backs on consumerism

As the annual Christmas shopping frenzy begins, readers discuss how they have challenged this culture - from sewing to buying secondhand to instituting a 90 day rule'

With Black Friday marking the start of a frantic month of Christmas shopping, we asked our readers to get in touch about the ways they have challenged consumerism.

Responses ranged from revolutionary changes such as giving up buying new clothes to subtler tweaks such as making sandwiches rather than buying a plastic-encased meal deal. Everyone agreed, however, that turning their back on a culture that constantly demands more from consumers came with financial and environmental benefits, not to mention a feeling of smug satisfaction that money simply can't buy.